Too often, people think that adding a light to a house is as simple as plugging it in, or wiring it in, and there you go. Well, for one little light, it is often true, but not when you are looking to add a slew of them. When planning to add some major fixtures, there are some steps to take before throwing that final switch.

Check Your Service

First off, look over your fuse box; you need to see how many amps (what the amperage) your electrical service has. Then, check on how much of that service you are already using. More often than not, you’ll need the help of a professional electrician to make this determination. If you are close to the maximum level of your service, you may need to get your fuse box upgraded to add more power.

Check Your Wiring

The next thing to consider is how good the wiring is in your house. If you have an older home, you may have some very old wires – they may not even be grounded. If the wires are not rated to handle the load of your new fixtures and equipment, this could lead to an electrical short or even a fire. Also, if you’re going to be boosting the total amperage of your home, you’ll need to make sure that all of the wiring – not just the ones handling the new fixtures – can handle the load. You can call in a home inspector or electrician to check the wires throughout your house. This is important; if you have to completely re-wire your home, the cost can be huge.

The Proper Outlets

And then there are even the electrical outlets. Many people don’t think of them as being important, but when using modern lighting fixtures, the outlets are important. First, they need to be properly grounded, which can be an issue in older homes. Next, many outlets are now able to also be a surge suppressor. This is important when you consider how expensive many modern lighting fixtures are. If you live in an area prone to lightning, you can easily lose fixtures during a severe thunderstorm. So, investing a little extra money upfront can insure that your fixtures last a lifetime.

Shutting Off the Right Circuit

Finally, when doing the actual installation of the lighting fixtures, you want to maximize your safety. To that end, find out which circuit in your fuse box controls the area of the house that you want to work in, and turn it off! This might sound obvious, but many people – particularly professional electricians – choose not to do so. This is very dangerous, and you should definitely avoid it. Once the power is off, you can safely add the wiring and outlets, and then switch the power back on. One factor to consider on this issue is kitchen lighting. If you flip off the circuit that powers your fridge, you need to insure the work is completed quickly to prevent food from spoiling and your freezer from melting.

Need help with adding lightening and fixtures to your home? Call us! We are here to help!

Hurricane Irma has left us with a lot damage and questions. After a major storm or natural event like Irma are often looking at doing repairs to our homes that we never expected. One question we may ask ourselves is should I hire a professional or do it myself? Knowing when to hire an electrician can be tricky, however you should always leave electrical work to the professionals. Hire one in the beginning of a project or an issue to ensure that the work is done correctly and safely.A licensed electrician is required to complete an apprenticeship and become licensed in the state they choose to work in. A low price may look nice but, hiring an electrician with the legal eligibility and right skills will help save a lot in the long run. If you hire an unlicensed electrician you risk having faulty work done and the results could be catastrophic. The risks can affect not only the electrician but you, your family or your property.Another thing you need to think about before hiring an electrician is if they are reliable or not. Will they be able to fix what you need done? Do they know the complex system of wiring on your property? These can be especially tricky if you are in a condo or an apartment; the issue you are having may be isolated or may spread to other areas. You want to ask as many questions about their rates and if you can get better rates if you keep a long term relationship going.An important thing to keep in mind is who will actually be working on your property. The electrician you speak to on the phone might not be who shows up at your door. They may send an apprentice and it is your job to know who they are sending and the skill level of that person.As with many other contractors, insurance is something that is required of them. Ask what is and is not covered with their insurance policies in case something should go wrong. The company you speak to may also have other service guarantees as well.Most people don’t just go to one car dealership to make a purchase, they shop around. You should do the same for your electrician and pick the best option for you and your property. Additionally you can check their licensing through local government and state websites.All of this should be figured out before any work is done so when the bill comes; you are not “shocked” by it.